Wear-Resistant Touchpads

Abstract

A touchpad for use with a computing device. The touchpad includes a touch-sensitive element, a cover layer that overlies the touch-sensitive element, and a durable protective coating that has been directly applied to an outer surface of the top layer.

1 . A touchpad for use with a computing device, the touchpad comprising:
 a touch-sensitive element;   a cover layer that overlies the touch-sensitive element; and   a durable protective coating that has been directly applied to an outer surface of the cover layer.   
     
     
         2 . The touchpad of  claim 1 , wherein the durable protective coating has been roller coated onto the cover layer. 
     
     
         3 . The touchpad of  claim 1 , wherein the cover layer is composed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         4 . The touchpad of  claim 1 , wherein the durable protective coating is an ultraviolet-cured coating. 
     
     
         5 . The touchpad of  claim 1 , wherein the durable protective coating is approximately 5 to 25 microns thick. 
     
     
         6 . A touchpad for use with a computing device, the touchpad comprising:
 a capacitive sensor;   a cover layer that overlies the sensor, the cover layer including an outer surface; and   an ultraviolet-cured durable protective coating that has been roller coated onto the outer surface of the cover layer.   
     
     
         7 . The touchpad of  claim 6 , wherein the durable protective coating is approximately 5 to 25 microns thick. 
     
     
         8 . A computing device comprising:
 a base portion;   a display portion pivotally connected to the base portion; and   a user interface provided on the base portion, the user interface including a touchpad having a cover layer and a durable protective coating that has been directly applied to the cover layer.   
     
     
         9 . The computing device of  claim 8 , wherein the cover layer of the touchpad is composed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         10 . The computing device of  claim 8 , wherein the cover layer of the touchpad is composed of a polyester material. 
     
     
         11 . The computing device of  claim 8 , wherein the durable protective coating is an ultraviolet-cured coating. 
     
     
         12 . The computing device of  claim 8 , wherein the durable protective coating is approximately 5 to 25 microns thick. 
     
     
         13 . A method for producing a touchpad, the method comprising:
 applying liquid polymer to an outer surface of a sheet of material;   curing the liquid polymer in place on the sheet;   cutting out a portion of sheet; and   using the portion as a cover layer of a touchpad.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein applying liquid polymer comprises applying an ultraviolet-curable liquid polymer to the outer surface of the sheet. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein applying liquid polymer comprises roller coating the liquid polymer onto the outer surface of the sheet. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein curing the liquid polymer comprises exposing the ultraviolet-curable polymer liquid to ultraviolet radiation.